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When journalists are having a rough time, it can be hard to look for support - so we did the digging for you.
Here is a bunch of resources: places you can find financial support if your mental health is affecting your work. Organisations which provide training, advice, coaching and consultation. Guides to help you cover the subject. Or simply communities that you can tap into so you do not feel alone.
This is not a complete list and we welcome any other resources you know of. Let us know and we will add them in.
Financial support
Committee to Protect Journalists - The Gene Roberts Fund for Emergency Assistance: a wide range of short-term support in the event of an emergency related to journalistic work • email to apply, global
Journalists' Charity - financial assistance and First Job Fund: circumstances-based support for journalists in the later and early stages of their career • online application, UK only
NUJ: NUJ extra - flexible, short-term financial support due to unforeseen circumstances • membership required, online application, UK and Ireland
Reporters Without Borders - financial assistance: Emergency funds for journalists under threat for their safety • email to apply, global
The Rory Peck Trust - Therapy Fund: covers the cost of professional psychological support for freelance journalists • online application, global, response time 1-3 weeks
Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism - security grant: up to $8,000 available for "unanticipated and time urgent" safety risks to women and non-binary activists • email or online application, quick decision process, global
International Women's Media Foundation - Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund: currently fundraising to support this programme and not accepting applications
Guides and resources
Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma: a treasure trove of resources, that can be filtered by topic, content type and language.
Headlines Network: a range of newsroom guides, including hybrid work, dealing with burnout, covering traumatic stories, mitigating vicarious trauma, managing our own mental health and supporting our colleagues
Reuters: mental health and resilience resource
The Self-Investigation: mental health resources, available in English and Spanish
The Rory Peck Trust: video resources from past events on mental health and wellbeing
IJNet: mental health reporting tips and toolkit
Management
The TUC: mental health in the workplace workbook
Trauma
Pickup communications: an FAQ on how the media should engage with victims and survivors
Trauma reporting: Trauma Reporting Toolkit
UNESCO (by Jo Healey): Safety of journalists covering trauma and distress 'Do no harm' [2022]
Suicide
Suicide Reporting Toolkit: the RSR (responsible suicide reporting) model and self-care tips when covering this difficult subject
Samaritans: media guidelines for reporting on suicide
Well-being and resilience
Frontline defenders: well-being and stress management
NHS: guides, tools and activities to improve your mental health
Language
Mind: media guidelines for covering mental health, focusing on language choices and avoiding reinforcing stigmas
Communities and events
The Self-Investigation: Mental Health in Journalism Summit, free and online, 8 - 10 October 2024
Safely Held Spaces: free online peer support groups for people experiencing extreme mental and emotional distress
Journalists Covering Trauma: Facebook group for journalists, NB: private and off-the-record discussions
NUJ: union-based events and contacts (requires membership)
Newsbreak: website for journalists to share experiences and Let's Talk service
Training and courses
Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma: Dart fellowships and various training resources
Safely Held Spaces: trauma-informed newsroom training
Pickup Communications: trauma-informed journalism training
International Women's Media Foundation: trauma resources and webinar on the mental toll on journalists of colour
Poynter: online journalism and trauma course
Trauma reporting: trauma reporting and compassionate language workshops
The Self-Investigation: training, coaching, safe spaces and consultancy for media organisations
Headlines Network: mental health training, to be updated
Head Set Immersive: VR training for hostile environments and high-stakes situations
Jodie Jackson: Master your media, master your mind course for improving media diet
Therapists and coaches
James Scurry: accredited psychotherapist with a specialism in trauma and a background in news production
Olivia James: qualified coach and therapist, specialising in performance anxiety, imposter syndrome and PTSD
Zuzanna Ziomecka: certified coach with a specialism in burnout, mindfulness and leadership, and a background in daily news
Dr Charlotte Armitage: qualified psychotherapist and psychologist, specialising in media exposure and TV production
Content and self-help
Headlines Network: Behind the Headlines podcast
Verywell Mind: An editorial website focusing on mental health, therapy, self-help and relationships
IJNet: Mental health and journalism podcast series (30 July to 23 October 2020)
Mind: YouTube channel publishing interviews and explainers about mental health subjects
The Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmore: weekly conversations about mental illness, trauma, addiction and negative thinking
The Anxiety Coaches Podcast with Gina Ryan: expert advice for dealing with stress, anxiety and PTSD
Lo-fi playlist: music to relax to
International Women's Media Foundation: Yoga for self-care
Tools, apps and games
The Rory Peck Trust - Risk & Safety Helpdesk: one-to-one expert online consultation to prepare freelance journalists for story assignments
Headspace: paid-for meditation app
The Mindfulness app: free app for reducing stress, exercising meditation and improving sleep
CALM: free online tool for practising deep breathing
GRIS: A simple video game available on PC and modern home consoles, based on mental health concepts.
Books
Hannah Storm: Mental Health and Wellbeing for Journalists
Chris Lindsay & Leona O'Neill: Breaking: Trauma in the Newsroom
Maja Šimunjak: Managing Emotions in Journalism: A Guide to Enhancing Resilience
Anthony Feinstein: Moral Courage: 19 Profiles of Investigative Journalists
Tamara Cherry: The Trauma Beat: A Case for Re-Thinking The Business of Bad News
Valérie Bélair-Gagnon, Avery E. Holton, Mark Deuze and Claudia Mellado: Happiness in Journalism
Jo Healey: Trauma Reporting: A Journalist's Guide to Covering Sensitive Stories
Trine Syvertsen: Digital Detox: The Politics of Disconnecting
Jodie Jackson: You Are What You Read: Why changing your media diet can change the world
Karen Yin: The Conscious Style Guide: A Flexible Approach to Language That Includes, Respects, and Empowers
Key dates
Time To Talk Day: 1 February
Stress Awareness Month: April
World Suicide Prevention Day: 10 September
World Mental Health Day: 8 October
Helplines (UK)
Mind: Advisors available 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays
Samaritans: 24 hour support
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